Bill To Raise Cigarette Tax Announced

On Monday, Feb. 13th, Senator Carla Nelson and Representative Mike Benson introduced a bill to increase Minnesota’s tobacco tax! Increasing the price of tobacco will encourage smokers to quit, prevent youth from starting to smoke and improve the health of all people living in the state.

Their bill will raise the tax on a pack of cigarettes by $1.29, bringing the total tax per pack to $2.52 (the same rate as in Wisconsin). The money generated would be used to repay the $700 million "borrowed" from schools during the 2011 budget shortfall and provide business property tax relief.

The bill is creating some positive buzz and we wanted to make sure you saw it! Be sure to check out this story in the Star Tribune, this great story in MinnPost and the video below from Rochester's KAAL-TV: http://kaaltv.com/article/stories/S2495135.shtml?cat=10217

Sen. Nelson and Rep. Benson’s efforts are crucial to reducing the influence of the tobacco industry in Minnesota, and protecting our youth, our health and our clean air. Please contact your lawmakers and let them know you support the efforts to increase the price of tobacco in Minnesota!